Explosive-engine.



PATENTED JULY 17, 1906. W. w. HENDERSON. EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

urmonxon rum: 001.10. 1904.

N0- 826,I01. PATENTED JULY 1'7, 1906.

W. .W. HENDERSON.

EXPLOSIVB ENGINE. APPLICATION nun our. 10. 1904.

UNITED srArns WILLIAM W. HENDERSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT PATENTOFFICE.

OF COLUMBIA,

ASSIGNOR TO INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, A CORPO- RATION OF THEDISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

EXPLOSIVE-ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1906.

Application filed October 19, I904. Serial No. 229,120-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. HENDER- SON, a citizen of-the UnitedStates, residing at Washington, District of Columbia, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Explosive-Engines, of which thefollowing is a s ecification, reference being had therein to t eaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in explosive-engines; and it isembodied in the construction and arrangement of parts presently to bedescribed, and defined in the claims.

The invention relates more particularly to that class ofexplosive-engines known as compression-engines that is, wherein the.charge is compressedand, further, that class of engines wherein a rotarypiston is employed as distinguished from a reciprocating piston.

The present invention is designed largely and more particularly for theeconomic utilization of the explosive force of the gas in connectionwith a rotary piston of an engine or motor; and one of the principalaims of the invention is the provision of a structure embodying generalmechanical simplicity with a minimum number of parts, an engine whichwill be effective in the utilization of substantially the major portionof the effect of the explosive charge, and, finally, an.engine havingprovision for adjusting or varying the amount of explosive materialconstituting the charge.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an embodiment of the inventionshowing substantially the mechanical features, construction, andrelative position of the parts. However, it is to be understood that thepositioning and proportioning of the device, as shown, may be changed inactual construction to properly time the various movements of thediiferent parts and also that various modifications and changes can bemade without departing from the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, showing parts inelevation, of an engine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverselongitudinal section sh owing parts in elevation. Fig. 3 is a detailelevation of a cam. Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the 9, 10, 11, 12,and 13 are detail views or the packings.

In the drawings, A designates the cylinder or casing, having acylindrical extension B at a point on its edge. The interior of .thecasing A is circular or cylindrical, and through the sides of the casingpasses the driven shaft C, on which is mounted the rotating piston D.This piston is of peculiar construction, having a straight impact-face(1 extending radially from a point inward toward the center, from whichpoint the piston is formed into a true circle for a distancesubstantially equal to one-quarter of the circumference of such circle,while from the point (1, being the point where the circular portionceases, the edge of the piston is curved outward to andterminates-gradually at the outer or true circumference of the piston,as shown in Fig. 2. The construction of the iston results in theformation of a chamber D between the edge of the piston and thecasing,which chamber tapers gradually at one end.

E des' nates a reciprocating abutment working m a radial recess orchamber e,

formed'in a projection of the casin This abutment is convenientlycomposed of two members 6 6 in each-of which is formed a kerf or'groovenear one edge, the same leading in from one end and terminatin at apoint adjacent to the opposite end as s lOWIl in Fig. 5. These platesare placed side by side with their grooved portions arranged in oppositerelation, as shown in Fig. 6, and the extreme width of the plates issuch as to cause them to fit closely in the chamber 6, the kerfs orgrooves in the plates bei such as to permit the narrow portions t ereofbendinginward slightly, thereby forming a spring, whose normal tendencyis outward against the sides of the containing-chamber and the adjacentsides of the cylinder. By thismeans a close joint is formed, preventingleakage. The abutment is backed up conveniently by a coil-spring E,adjustably held by a screw-plug E at the end of the chamber e, so thatin action the movement of the piston D will gradually force the abutmentback, and the spring E will immediately force the abutment inward afterthe same has passed the impact-shoulder d of the piston. It is to beunderstood in this respect that any other convenient form of i g g g,the former being abutment can be employed in connection with thisengine.

He'retofore it has been a diflicult problem to prevent the escape ofgases around the edges and sides of a rotating piston, and I haveendeavored to overcome this defect in the following manner: In thesidewalls of the cylinder at points intermediate the center and edgesare formed channels or grooves f, which have inwardly-inclined innerside walls and oppositely or outwardly inclined outer side walls. Thesechannels are continuous and concentric with the axis of the drivenshaft, and in the channels are placed the packing-rin s F, convenientlyformed of metal and of a s ape in cross-section substantially that ofthe grooves f, but of a diameter slightly less than that of the grooves,so that the same will be permitted movement in a direction into and outof the grooves. These rings are conveniently split diagonally, as shownin Fig. 9, and then natural warp or set is such as to make theirdiameter greater than the diameter of the grooves f, so that when thesame are forced into the grooves their natural tendency will be toexpand and ride up or inward on the outer inclined walls of the 'roovesf, and thereby to bear against the fisi es of the piston D with a closeyieldin t.

he packing-rings are placed close to the concentric cut-away portion ofthe piston, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, and the impactshoulder disalso provided with a packing, so as to practically reclude the escape ofthe gases past the si es of the outer portion of the iston. The packingfor the impactshoul der consists conveniently of three platesimperforate except for a central opening. he plate 9' is formed withoppositely-arranged grooves or kerfs spaced an equal distance apart andextending longitudinally, while the plate 9 is kerfed I or roovedtransversely, the grooves and l kerl s extending in from opposite edges.These three plates are brought up and held close against theimpact-shoulder by a setscrew or bolt G, taking into the piston. size ofthe plates g g is such thatwhen crowded. into position the willyieldfand their natural tendency will be to bind with a close fit aainst the sides and ends of the cylinder ant piston, thus forming inconjune tion with the packing-rings a zone or field which issubstantially closed against, the escape of gases when the abutmentiSrill position.

The extension B of the casinghas a cylindrical bore tapering, as at b,at its upper end, which is substantially conical and communicates withthe interior of the casing or c linder. Within this cylindrical portion0' the extension is a piston-head H, having suitable packing-rings and ahollow central portion,

The.

which center is closed normally by a valve h,

having a stem h, passing downward through the stem H of the piston H,and this valve h is normally held closed by a relativel weak spring hsleeved about its lower en located in a recess in the lower end of thestem H and resting with itslower end against an adjustable nut h on theend of the stem H.

J and J designate feeds for the charge leading into the bottom of thecylindrical extension B, the point of entry being suitably provided withcheck-valves The manner of feeding the charge into thecompression-cylinder B, I have not shown; but any well-known method orconstruction may be employed.

To compress the char e of explosive mate- 'rial which has been admlttedto the compression-cylinder, I employ conveniently two cams K K, fixedlysecured, respectively, on the shaft C, and between these cams and thebearing-boxes for the shaft I place the links or rods L, which haveelongated slots in their upper ends through which the shaft C passes.These slots are su'llicient in length to permit of a full reciprocationof the rods or links L, which reciprocation is secured by the movementof the cams K K, the respective rods carrying suitable projections is,carrying rolls at their ends entering into the grooves of the cams K K.By this means the movement of the rods as to time and extent is governedand determined by the character and shape of the cam, which may bevaried according to the demands or purposes to which the machine is tobe employed. The rods IA are guided through suitable guides Z on thecompression-cylinder B and carry at their lower ends a cross-head M,which in turn carries fixedly the piston ll, so that upon the/movementof the rods or links I, a corresponding movement will be imparted to thepiston H.

To vary the degree or to predetermine the point or time when the valve72- will be opened so that the period of ingress of the combustiblematerial to the combustioil-chamber may be lengthened or shortened, Iprovide conveniently a reciprocating bar N, having a lateral projection11, the end of which extends directly under theend ol' the valve-sten'ih, as shown in Fig. 2. This rod is formed at its upper end with apivoted section n, carrying a head n, below which. is sleeved aresistance-spring n. The spring and the upper end of the rod are incasedin a tube 0,

"having a shouldered lower end against which the lower end of the springrests, and also having an eye in its upper end by which it is attachedto the rocking lever l, pivoted on any suitable support and having ahandle portion )2. This lever l is designed to have a portion engagewith a suitable toothed rack p in any convenient nianner,,so that thelever may beheld in its adiusted position.

As above stated, the space within the cylinder when used as anexplosive-chainber is tained wholly in the compression-cylinder duringthe interval when the true outer sur- 5 face of the piston is over theport leading from the compression -'cylinder to the cylinder.

proper manifestly the gas would escape around the sides of the piston Dthrough t e exhaust A To avoid this, I have provided a ring packing R,first. fashioning the walls of the port or opening at the upper end ofthe compression-cylinder so that it will have a double inclined wall, asshown in Figs. 12 and 13. I then provide a packing-ring having its outerface formed to correspond in shape with the shape of the double inclinedwalls of the port as to angle, but of a width slightly greater than thewalls of the port. This ring R is normally expanded, and owing to itsinclined outer edge fitting on the inclined edge of the port the normaltendency would be to cause the same to raise or project inwardly intothe cylinder. As soon, however, as the piston D is moved from theposition shown in ig. 2 to, an opposite position the ring R will beforced down, and its normal spring tendency will cause it to hug tightlyagainst the edge of the piston D. The spring quality of the packing R issuch as to result in its normal positioning, and I have found that aring of cast-iron will subserve the purposes and effectually retain itsresiliency notwithstanding the heat of the chamber caused by theexplosions.

In operation the parts are to be adjusted, positioned, and fashioned sothat when the charge has been ignited in the chamber by any suitablemeans, such as an electric igniter, the points of which are shown inFig. 2 at S, the piston D is driven forcibly around andthecompression-piston H immediately lowered. The valve H is caused toopen by coming in contact with the projection on the rod N and israised, permitting the explosive .material below the piston H to escapeinto the space above, the rod N being lowered by the movement of thepiston H, which lowering is permitted by the spring a. Thecompression-piston then commences to move upward while its valveisstill'held open, and the valve His only closed after it reaches apoint where the spring a fails to hold it open and overcome the tendencyof the spring 11 From that point on the movement of thecompression-piston compresses the charge in the space between theextreme outer edge of the piston D and the piston II, and immediately asthe impact-shoulder (1 passes the port leading from theeompression-ehamber the. final movement of the piston ll reestablishesthe compressed condition of the gas which has been liberated into thechamber between the abutment and the walls of the piston I). At thismoment the charge is exploded and the cycle of operation is repeated.The timing of the movement of the compression-piston is of course to begoverned by the shape and proportion of the cams K K. Should it benecessary to utilize the full or maximum charge of material, it is onlynecessary to remove the projection n on the rod N, so that it will noteffect the movement of the valve H, but the latter will be raised fromits position on its seat by the explosive charge trapped below thepiston H, and as soon as the piston H commences to moveupward the valvewill automaticall close and trap the entire charge above t ecompressionpiston.

The details of the construction of the engine above described aresusceptible of w1de change, and in actual construction may requiremodifications. The principle and nature of the invention, however, isfully disclosed, and I do not wish to be limited to the constructionshown and described.

The special construction of packing which is herein shown and describedis not herein claimed, in that the same will be made the subject-matterof a subsequent application.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In an explosive-engine, the combination with a working cylinderhaving a rotary piston therein and a movable abutment, of acompression-cylinder having a valveless communication with the workingcylinder, and a piston in the compression cylinder for compressing thecharge against the rotary piston and the abutment.

2. In a gas-engine the combination with a working cylinder and a rotarypiston therein, of a compression-cylinder having directcommunication'with the working cylinder, areciprocating piston in thecompression-cylinder, a valve in the piston, means for reciproeating thecompression-piston, and means for regulating the movement of the valve.

3. In a rotary explosive-engine, the combination with a workingcylinder, of acompression-cylinder having a compression-piston therein,a spring-actuated valve located in the piston, means actuating thepiston, and a governor adapted to engage with the valve to regulate themoving interval of the valve.

4. In a rotary explosive-engine, the combi- I4 82mm two 0 linders andthe explosion-chamber be: communication, a clfoss heqd oonneeted with mga ways in free and unobstructed co nnu the piston of thecompression-cylinder, and

ni'cation. cams for sawi the 'oro'ss head to move 6. In a rotaryexplosive-engine, the oombithe piston; 15 5 nation with a, workingcylinder, or a oom- In testimony whereof I, affix my signatureression-cylinder, a compression-piston workin ppesenceof two witnesses.mg in the compression-cylinder; a yalye con- WH 'HENDERSON Y nected withthe piston, an explosion-chamber in the end'of the compressioncylinde'r, end Witnesses: to the two cylinders and the explosion-ohaiin- L. S. BACON,

her being always in 'free end unobstruted EDWIN SLCLARKBON.

